The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Marathon tribute to dad
A MAN who p ulled out of a marathon to rush to his dying father’s bedside has completed the race 12 months on in his memory.
Rob Hoey was joined by siblings Neil Hoey and Caroline Ness for theAmsterdam event on October 19.
The race took place a year to the day after their dad Robert “Tich” Hoey died suddenly.
The 70-year-old, who lived in Dunning, was diagnosed with lung cancer just 11 days before his death on October 19 2013.
Just hours before, Rob had touched down in Holland in preparation for the 2013 Amsterdam marathon but a frantic call from Caroline saw him rush back to Scotland to say his goodbyes.
His brother, Neil, also had to dash home from a trip to Yorkshire to be at his father’s bedside.
On Saturday the trio, who were cheered on by their mother, Doreen, completed the 26-mile route in Robert’s honour.
During the run they all wore wristbands in the colours of Robert’s favourite football team, Rangers FC, as well as special shirts bearing a photo of their dad.
Rob said: “It (Robert’s death) was out of the blue.
“We knew he was ill and he’d gone into hospital the day before but we were told he would be fine so I decided to go and do the marathon. However, things deteriorated on the Friday night.
“It was shocking to hear that he may not live through the night,” Rob went on.
“I was stuck inAmsterdam trying to get a flight home.
“I managed to get one on the Saturday morning, still not knowing if it would be in vain.
“I did manage to spend some time with him on the Saturday before he died.”
Recalling crossing the finish line this year, he added: “They were two emotional weekends but for entirely different reasons.”
Caroline said: “This was an emotional time and a particular effort by my brother, Neil, who had never run before, never mind run a marathon.
“This was Rob’s third marathon and my fourth marathon, with training being a particular challenge this year as I was also completing a Master’s Degree, volunteering at the Commonwealth Games and was a trustee of one of the official charities of the 2014 Ryder Cup.”